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10/31/07

Reasonable People Will Disagree

It’s a tricky thing bringing a debate to a conclusion without discord.You can “agree to disagree,” but that leaves you and your opponent on separate boats, drifting away from each other.Another parting thought is that “reasonable people will disagree.” You stick to your guns, but offer respect to your opponent–what more could anyone want?

Sadly enough, an article I’ve just finished makes me wonder if there’s anything to this platitude.In his contribution to the essay collection Philosophers without Gods, Fred Feldman says No.If you really disagree, how can you think your opponent is reasonable?